Level crossings on the Dungeness Branch between Brookland Station (or Brookland Halt) and Lydd Town Station (formerly Lydd Station), listed from north to south. Looking at the crossings in succession from public viewpoints gives a reasonable overview of the Dungeness Branch as a whole.

The total number of crossings on this branch is listed in some reference works as 14, but this is not really an accurate reflection of the number of crossing points as agricultural facilities and foot crossings also have to be considered. Some of the road crossings no longer have any value except to adjacent properties. I have a list of 50 crossing points that existed on the current stretch of the line, comprising 14 operational road crossings; 5 current public footpaths; 17 operational accommodation crossings (private agricultural facilities); and 14 accommodation crossings and foot crossings that have closed and are no longer used. Obviously the list changes and it was last updated in March 2015.

The branch actually runs south east from Appledore. The convention adopted in these collections is that Appledore is north, Dungeness is south, the New Romney side of the branch is east, and the Lydd side of the branch is west.

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Continuing south from the former station at Brookland Halt, it is only a short distance to Boarmans Crossing. This shot looks back north towards the Brookland level crossing and the former station building can be seen in the distance. A whistle sign is needed as part of the protection for the crossing. The train is required to stop before continuing north over the A259 at Brookland level crossing. 08.10.2008

Pulling back the long lens, this is the actual view from Boarmans Crossing north towards the former Brookland Halt. Kingsnorth Accommodation Crossing and (further south) Hooks Accommodation Crossing were originally located in this section. Both agricultural facilities have closed and there is no trace of these crossings. 08.10.2008

Looking south from Boarmans Crossing towards Dungeness. The crossings in this area are so closely spaced that the warning board for the next crossing is easily seen. When there were gates on this crossing the crossing keeper's cottage (since demolished) stood on the east side of the line, south of the road (to the left in this picture). The fence on the left probably represents the extent of the original garden. 08.10.2008

Looking south with a slightly longer lens the standard signage for the crossings is clearly displayed. The black cross warning board is situated at braking distance from the crossing, and immediately followed by 5mph and Whistle boards. In practice the train will hardly have picked up speed from the previous 5mph restriction. Boarmans Crossing 08.10.2008

Looking south from Boarmans Crossing with an even longer lens Tillery Crossing can be seen clearly in the centre of the photo. Also in shot is the subsequent warning board for Fielders Crossing which is just beyond the crossing. 08.10.2008

Now at Tillery Crossing this view looks back north to Boarmans Crossing, and indeed the former Brookland Station is still close enough to be seen in the distance. The 5mph and Whistle sign are hidden behind the crossing warning sign, but I doubt that a returning driver would need any further reminder. 08.10.2008

Tillery Crossing looking east. The local authority have erected a sign warning that Tillery Lane is unsuitable for motor vehicles and they are not joking. Don't even consider going down there in a car. It is so bad that a nearby property has to bring their dustbin over the crossing. 08.10.2008

Tillery Crossing looking south towards Fielders Crossing. When there were gates on this crossing the crossing keeper's cottage (since demolished) stood on the west side of the line, south of the road (to the right in this picture). The fence on the right probably represents the extent of the original garden. The cottage fronted on to the adjacent southbound road. 08.10.2008

Looking south from Tillery Crossing with a longer lens Fielders Crossing can be seen clearly in the centre of the photo, beyond the usual warning signs. The railings in the foreground protect Culvert 1842. 08.10.2008

Fielders Crossing looking east. This lane is also (absolutely) unsuitable for motor vehicles beyond the crossing but the local authority sign is further back down the lane and out of shot. There is an unusual Beware of Trains sign on the right which is certainly not of current design, but it would be hard to miss the crossing. The track beyond the crossing gives access to Coldharbour Farm. 08.10.2008

Looking south from Fielders Crossing towards Dungeness. When there were gates on this crossing the crossing keeper's cottage (since demolished) stood on the east side of the line, south of the road (to the left in this picture). The fence on the left probably represents the extent of the original garden. An aerial photograph taken in the 1960s clearly shows level crossing gates closed across the road, although there is no train in shot. 08.10.2008

Looking south from Fielders Crossing with a longer lens. The rabbits were still keeping an eye on me in this isolated location. I was probably the first human they had seen for weeks.... Beyond the rabbit the "Restricted Clearance" signs mark Culvert 1843, and beyond that is the warning board for Mountain Crossing, out of sight around the curve. Although this is a public road crossing (Mountain Lane) the road is unmade and no longer leads anywhere, so in effect it is only of use for agricultural purposes. Some distance further south there is the site of Paines No.1 Accommodation Crossing (closed and no longer marked); Culvert 1844; Paines No.2 Accommodation Crossing (an agricultural vehicle crossing adjacent to Coldharbour Farm); and Paines No.3 Accommodation Crossing (also used as a public footpath). The sub-standard roads leading to these crossings are unsuitable for motor vehicles and they have not been photographed to date. 08.10.2008

The next public road crossing, called Coldharbour Crossing, is actually some distance south of Coldharbour Farm. This view looks back north in the direction of the farm, but the buildings are out of sight. North of this crossing are a number of agricultural and foot crossings near Coldharbour Farm (described previously). Subsequently the line curves round to Fielders Crossing previously pictured. On the right of this picture, within the railway boundary, there was originally a small orchard, and beyond that a section of allotments. It is assumed that these facilities were created by the railway staff living nearby. 08.10.2008

Sorry, but the tatty temporary sign at Coldharbour Crossing gets no points at all. It could well have been there since at least 1992. It is actually on the back of an old level crossing warning cross sign (seen in the background of the next picture). Time for a new one. 08.10.2008

Coldharbour Crossing looking south towards Dungeness. When there were gates on this crossing the crossing keeper's cottage (since demolished) stood on the east side of the line, south of the road (to the left in this picture). 08.10.2008

Coldharbour Crossing looking south with a long lens. Within this section are Bridge 1845 (railway over drainage ditch); Culvert 1846; and Finn Kelsey Accommodation Crossing (around the bend, and to which the Whistle Board refers). Further south there is also Hughes Accommodation Crossing; Culvert 1847; Pipers No.1 Accommodation Crossing; Culvert 1848; and Pipers No.2 Accommodation Crossing (a footpath). The rabbits are hanging around the track again... 08.10.2008

The next public road crossing is Midley Crossing. This view north from the crossing with a long lens shows Pipers No.2 Accommodation Crossing (a footpath) nearest the camera, Culvert 1848 just beyond it, and a warning board for Pipers No.1 Accommodation Crossing in the distance. 08.10.2008

Midley Crossing looking north with a normal lens. When there were gates on this crossing the crossing keeper's cottage (since demolished) stood on the west side of the line, north of the road (to the left in this picture). The fence on the left probably represents the extent of the original garden. 08.10.2008

Midley Crossing looking west. This is a wider, more frequently used road which offers an alternative way to and from Lydd. However whilst on site it was alarming to watch the traffic shoot over the diagonal crossing with little or no pause. Perhaps the very infrequent train movements give a false sense of security to regular users of the road. 08.10.2008

Looking south from Midley Crossing with a long lens. Gilletts No.1 Accommodation Crossing is in the foreground, and after that are Culvert 1848B; Culvert 1848C; and the site of Balcombe Accommodation Crossing (closed and removed). Further south still (out of view) are Culvert 1849; the site of Pipers No.4 Accommodation Crossing (closed and removed); and the site of an unnamed footpath crossing (also closed). Subsequently Chapel Bank Public Footpath Crossing gives access to a ruined church, followed by Gilletts No.2 Accommodation Crossing; and Paine Accommodation Crossing. Finally Bridge 1850 passes over a large drainage ditch. 08.10.2008

Between Midley Crossing and Swamp Crossing there is a ruined church on the east side of the line. The site is reached by Chapel Bank Public Footpath Crossing, but there is little of the church building still standing. 08.10.2008

Swamp Crossing looking north with a long lens. Nearest the camera is Bridge 1850 (denoted by railings on the right), followed by Paine Accommodation Crossing and Gilletts No.2 Accommodation Crossing. In the far distance is Chapel Bank Public Footpath Crossing. 08.10.2008

Swamp Crossing looking east. The crossing was one of the better maintained crossings on the branch, the road forming a route between Lydd and the village of Old Romney. As is obvious, a farmer had been working in the field on the left. 08.10.2008